Please remember to capitalize the "B" in Black.

I use empathy when engaging in racial micro or macro aggressions from individuals. Why? Well, subtle racism, unfortunately, is baked into our thinking, often without our awareness. It silently feeds our racial implicit bias. And in consideration of this, please remember to capitalize the “B” in Black.?

How many of us remember watching the scene in the movie Malcolm X, directed by Spike Lee, and starring Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, and other great cast members? Do you remember the scene where Malcolm Little was being introduced to an example of how systemic racism exists even in the Webster dictionary?

No?

From Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

Definition of?white

1. White: of or relating to any of various population groups considered as having light pigmentation of the skin
2. 3: free from spot or blemish: such as
3. a: (1): free from moral impurity?
4. (2): marked by the wearing of white by the woman as a symbol of puritya?
5. b: unmarked by writing or?
6. c: not intended to cause harm

?And for Black:

1. Black or less commonly black
2. a: of or relating to any of various population groups of especially African ancestry often considered as having dark pigmentation of the skin but in fact having a wide range of skin colors.?
3. 4: DIRTY, SOILED
4. 6aold-fashioned + literary: thoroughly sinister or evil: WICKED
5. b: indicative of condemnation or discredit
6. 7: connected with or invoking the supernatural and especially the devil
7. 8a: very sad, gloomy, or calamitous
8. 9a: characterized by hostility or angry discontent: SULLEN

Did you notice the difference in the meaning of the words outside of identifying race? Can you imagine how the negative descriptions can be implicitly associated with the definition of race by color? It is no one today's fault that this evolution occurred. But we do need to be cognizant of it as words have power. It seems reasonable that Noah Webster's intent was to differentiate American common use language from the language used by the British. And even though he was an abolitionist, words in their common usage is what he and George Merriam were printing. And these are how individuals in those times spoke. We have socially, morally, and ethically evolved, and so in our language, written and spoken, it should be reflected.

From the American Psychological Association, Racial and Ethnic Identity: “Terms used to refer to racial and ethnic groups continue to change over time. One reason for this is simply personal preference; preferred designations are as varied as the people they name. Another reason is that designations can become dated over time and may hold negative connotations. When describing racial and ethnic groups, be appropriately specific and sensitive to issues of labeling as described in general principles for reducing bias.”

Please remember that dictionaries are not primary academic sources, of course. But they are often used to justify expressions as valid. But less we remember, dictionaries are collections of common words and defined by their usage. And suppose that the information we assimilate into our consciousness is not examined for its contribution to our implicit bias. In that case, we will continue to find it difficult to stem the microaggressions that are unintentionally committed.??So please, remember to capitalize the "B" when writing about Black people. It is just another way that we can be inclusive through the written word.

For more information about the proper grammar used inclusively, please check out the APA guide for bias-free language: https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/bias-free-language/racial-ethnic-minorities.

Our evolution from exclusion to inclusion always comes down to the interpersonal inclusion Between Me and You. Please, let us attempt our best to improve our engagement.

This book, now available on Amazon, presents a non-confrontational approach to interpersonal inclusion using EQ, CQ, and interpersonal communication that does not incorporate historical suffrage education that tends to create in/out groups with a push/pull effect on attendees.

Charles M. Harper Sr. has been a diversity and inclusion consultant for over 12 years whose clients have included fraternal, educational, and governmental agencies, as well as some media and entertainment professionals.?He is a certified US History Educator, a published author of three books, and he is a successful playwright and actor of the monodrama, Black and White: A Man Divided.?Charles has a Bachelor of Liberal Arts, double majoring in history and philosophy, with a minor in cultural anthropology.?He also has an MBA.?He completed both degrees at the University of Arizona Global Campus. Charles has served in the US Navy and spent 13 years as a Local 150 Operating Engineer.?He returned to college to pursue his degrees after a career-ending back injury in 2009. Currently, Charles is a Ph.D. Candidate in Business Management, with a focus in Human Resources.?His dissertation focus is in the embedment of inclusion practices within the knowledge sharing functions of organizational knowledge management.?